Method of affixing condenser tap straps to mounting strip material



May 27, 1952 c. E. MARKS METHOD OF AFFIXING CONDENSER TAP STRAPS TO MOUNTING STRIP MATERIAL Original Filed Sept. 1, 1948 2 SHEETS-SHEET 1 Inventor:

by His Attorney Charles E. Marks,

y 1952 c E MARKS 2,597,885

METHOD OF AFFIXINS CONDENSER TAP STRAPS T0 MOUNTING STRIP MATERIAL Original Filed Sept. 1, 1948 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2 3;- Charles E. Marks,

Patented May 27, 1952 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE METHOD OF AFFIXING CONDENSER TAP STRAPS TO MOUNTING STRIP MATE- RIAL Charles E. Marks, Lee, Mass., assignor to General Electric Company, a corporation of New York Original application September 1, 1948, Serial No.

47,246. Divided and this application September 17, 1949, Serial No. 116,316

ducting tap straps to a wider strip of insulating mounting material disclosed in the copending applications of Raney, Serial No. 41,804 filed July 31, 1948, Serial No. 116,346 filed September 17, 1949, and the copending application of Hogue and Hamilton, Serial No. 46,206, filed August 26, 1948, each assigned to the same assignee as the instant application. The broad aspects of any features disclosed in these copending applications and common to the instant application are to be regarded as prior art with respect to this present application which is directed to a particular method not disclosed in these prior art applications. This application is a division of my copending application entitled Method and Apparatus for Fixing Condenser Tap Straps to a Paper We Serial No. 47,246, filed September 1, 1948, and assigned to the same assignee as the instant application, now Patent No. 2,597,844.

It was indicated in the aforementioned application, Serial No. 46,206, that in order to employ the combination of a plurality of conducting tap straps affixed to a longitudinal strip of insulating mounting material in the manner disclosed in copending application Serial No. 18,104, filed March 31, 1948, now Patent No. 2,547,644, the longitudinal strip of insulating paper must have the conducting tap straps affixed thereto not only at spaced and equal intervals but a portion of each tap strap must extend a predetermined distance, laterally beyond a longitudinal edge of the mounting strip, approximately equal to the distance it is desired to have the tap strap project out of the finished condenser roll. The desirability and reasons for having the projecting portion of each tap strap free of any contamination, such as adhesive material employed to adhere the strap to the mounting strip, was also pointed out.

In addition to the fulfillment of these requirements, however, it is also desirable to carry out the operation of affixing tap straps and completing a great number of finished rolls in a minimum of time. Reduction in the time required to assemble a finished roll obviously would be realized if the necessity of momentarily stopping the movement of the mounting strip could be eliminated while each tap strap is being aiiixed thereto. However, aside from the problem involved in the realization of this objective, an additional problem is pre- .2; sented in that it would be difllcult, practically, if not impossible, to apply adhesive material to a mounting strip while in motion.

It is, therefore, an object of my invention to provide an improved method for ai'fixing, at spaced and equal intervals, a plurality of conducting tap straps to a mounting strip of insulating material.

It is also an object of my invention to provide a method for affixing such tap straps while the mounting strip is in motion.

It is a further object of my invention to provide,

a method of affixing conducting tap straps to a mounting strip whereby adhesive material is applied to only such surfaces of the tap strap or mounting strip as will be in engagement after afiixing to each other.

My invention will be better understood from the following description when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings and the scope of my invention will be pointed out in the appended claims.

In the drawings, Fig. 1 is a perspective and diagrammatic representation of an apparatus embodying my invention; Fig. 1a is an enlarged edge view of an adhesive applicator element incorporated in the Fig. 1 apparatus; and Fig. 2 is a perspective and diagrammatic illustration of a similar apparatus incorporating a modification of my invention and Fig. 2a is an enlarged edge view of the adhesive applicator element incorporated in the Fig. 2 apparatus.

Referring now to Fig. l of the drawings, l0 represents a supply roll of insulating mounting material rotatably mounted on spindle or shaft I l which in turn is supported by a stationary frame work not illustrated in the interest of simplicity. As supply roll [0 is unwound, by drive means to be described hereinafter, the longitudinal strip of mounting material I 2 therefrom is directed toward the left in the direction of the arrow and during this leftward passage passes over and is temporarily supported on support platforml3 also rigidly supported by the stationary frame work.

A supply strip of conducting material I4 is fed from a supply roll or reel, not shown, in the direction of the arrow toward and transversely over the platform l3 and the longitudinal supply strip of mounting material I 2. To feed the conducting strip 14 transversely toward the mounting strip I employ feed means comprising a pair of cooperating feed rolls [5 and I6 fixedly mounted on shafts I1 and I8 respectively which are positively interconnected by spur gears l9 and 20 respectively. Shaft ii is driven clockwise, as viewed,

by bevel gear set 2|, shaft 22, bevel gear set 23 and shaft 24 from a pulley or chain sprocket mounted thereon but not shown which in turn may be driven by a belt or chain from a motor neither of which are illustrated. Notches l5 and I8 have been respectively cut across the contacting periphery of rolls I5 and I6 which are so mounted on their respective shafts that during each revolution thereof notches l5 and 16' are bisected by a line interconnecting the centers of the rolls or are adjacently disposed on opposite sides of the conducting strip 14 therebetween. Since the periphery of the rolls are out of engagement with the strip at this time the feed thereof is obviously terminated for a momentary period T.

during each revolution of the feed rolls. A pair of cooperating rotatable discs and 26 between which conducting strip I4 is directed while being fed by the feed rolls toward platform I3 is positioned between feed rolls l5 and It and the plats2 form. Discs 25 and 26 are fixedly mounted on the positively driven 2'. and 23 respectively through spur gears 29 and 30 by idler gear 31 which meshes with gear l9 fixed to feed roll shaft I T. These discs are so positioned on their I respective shafts with respect to each other and strip [4 is so directed therebetween that the longitudinal axis thereof is aligned with the central plane of rotation of each disc. Although disc 25 is a complete circular disc, disc 26 comprises substantially the sector of a circle with sufiicient additional material to give strength to the hub portion thereof. Because of this particular configuration and the fixed spacing between shafts 2'1 and 28 only the circular periphery portion of disc 26- engages the under surface of conducting strip l4 so that for a short period during each revolution of the discs, disc 25 is completely out of engagement with the conducting strip I4 as it is fed between the discs. this point that disc sector 26, as better illustrated in Fig. 1a, has a thickness less than the width of conducting strip [4 and the circular periphery portion thereof rotates in a bath of adhesive material 32 in supply reservoir 33 which is provided with any suitable heating means to maintain the adhesive material therein in a liquid state.

Between feed rolls l5 and I6 and discs 25 and 26 at a predetermined distance from platform 13 and the adjacent longitudinal edge of mounting strip 12- is supported a conducting strip severing means or knife substantially the same as the severing means disclosed in the above mentioned copending application of Hogue and Hamilton, Serial No. 46,206. This severing means comprises a die and strip support 34 rigidly fixed to the apparatus frame work and punch or knife housing 35 slidably mounted for vertical movement at the rear, but not shown, on the frame work. The forward lower end 35 of housing 35 is formed or machined to a knife edge, the purpose of which will be apparent as the description proceeds. Conducting strip holding element 38 is mounted for vertical movement within housing 35, biased downward by a spring therein -and aligned for engagement with die slot 31 which has a width and is so aligned as to slidably accommodate conducting strip [4 as it is fed toward mounting strip 12. The downward travel of holding element 36 under its spring bias is limited by the engagement of a pin 38 affixed thereto with the lower edge of a slot 39 in the side wall of knife housing 3'5. Normally, holding element 36 is biased out of engagement with die slot 31 by springs 40 interposed between top It should be observed at I plate M, fixed to housing 35, and the slotted flange 42 of a substantially channel shaped backing member t3 fixedly mounted on the frame work. Upward thrust of springs 40 is resisted by engagement of a bolt .44, passing through plate 4! into housing 35, with the rounded end of an adjustment screw 45 threadably mounted in a beam or lever 46 rotatively pivoted on pivot pin 41 fixedly mounted on the apparatus frame work. Cam wheel 48 is rotatively mounted at one end of lever 46 and is biased into engagement with cam 49 mounted on an extension of drive shaft 24 by spring 59 interposed between lever 46, at the other end thereof opposite the pivot pin 41, and flange 5| of channel shaped backing member 43. An extension 52 is provided at this end of lever 46 to which one arm 53 of a toggle is pivotedly mounted at pivot pin 54. A toggle tamper 55 having a length approximately equal to the width of the mounting strip I2 and a rounded tampingsurface is pivotedly mounted transversely with respect to the mounting strip to the lower end of arm 53 by means of pivot pin 56. This combination comprising a toggle is biased in a counterclockwise direction by spring 51, attached to arm 53 and a downwardly projecting portion of lever extension 52. However, stop 58, part of the downwardly projecting portion, normally prevents counterclockwise movement of the toggle tamper beyond the position indicated which is such that the longitudinal center line of the tamping surface on tamper 55 is aligned with the longitudinal axis of the conducting strip M fedover the mounting strip l2. Moreover, arm 53 is so mounted with respect to platform I3 and mounting strip 12 that its movement about pivot 54 is in a plane normal to the platform surface and coincident with a horizontal center line thereof and the longitudinal axis of the mounting strip.

So as to prevent back-lash of conducting strip M, a pair of friction blocks 59 are provided between which the strip is pulled by feed rolls [5 and. I6. Thelower friction block is supported on the stationary frame work while the upper block is movable but biased downwardly by spring 60 interposed therebetween and a part of the frame work 6|.

A friction drive roll 62 is fixedly mounted on shaft 63 which is positively connected by spur gear '64 fixed thereto and spur gear 65 to drive shaft 24. 66 represents a partially wound reel of mounting material with, tap straps afiixed thereto in substantial rolling engagement with friction roll 52 and wound on a split mandrel mounted on reel up shaft 61 which is supported on a radius arm, not shown, which in turn is pivotedly mounted on the apparatus frame work,

as illustrated in the. above mentioned copending application of Hogue and Hamilton. It is by means of friction roll 62 that the mounting strip I2 is unwound from supply roll Ill and directed over platform l3 by idler guide rolls B8 and 69 around friction roll 62 and eventually rewound into a reel such as 65. The mounting of shaft -51 on a pivoted radius arm results in constant rolling engagement of the reel being rewound with friction drive roll 62 regardless of the amount of mounting material that has been rewound into a finished reel. 10 represents an ironer roll rotatably and also slidably mounted for vertical movement on the apparatus frame work but biased downwardly toward the upper surface of platform 13 for rolling engagement with moving mounting strip l2.

To operate the apparatus hereinbefore described, an end of mounting strip I2 is first manually pulled over support platform I3, directed around guide rolls 68 and '69 and friction drive roll 62 as shown and attachedto the split mandrel on shaft 6'! and an end of conducting strip I4 is manually directed between friction blocks 59 into frictional engagement with the circular peripheries of feed rolls I5 and I6.' Then the drive motor, not shown, which turns drive shaft 24, gear 65 and cam 49 in a clockwise direction is started. Thereafter all the steps of my invention are executed automatically. Drive feed roll 62 unwinds the longitudinal mounting strip I2 from supply roll I continuously across support platform I3 around the guide rolls and rewinds it into the reel 66. Feed rolls I and I6 feed the conducting supply strip through the die slot 31 toward and transversely over continuously moving mounting strip I2 for a lineal distance equal to the circumferential dimension of the contacting periphery of a feed roll.

Simultaneously during the feed, the circular periphery portion of disc 26 which has previously rotated in the liquid adhesive material 32 engages the bottom surface of conducting strip I4 to apply a strip of adhesive thereto having a lineal dimension equal to the circumferential dimension of the engaging periphery of the disc. Because of the location of disc 26 with respect to the adjacent longitudinal edge of moving mounting strip I2, the angle subtending the circular periphery of disc 26 and the synchronization thereof with the feed rolls, this strip of adhesive is applied only to that portion of strip I4 which is adjacent to and fed over mounting strip I2. Moreover, since disc 26 has a thickness less than the width of strip I4 and because the longitudinal axis thereof is aligned with the central plane of rotation of disc 26, the adhesive material which is applied is confined to a very narrow strip about the longitudinal center line of the bottom surface of the conducting strip.

Thereafter, notches I5 and I6 of feed. rolls I5 and I6 respectively become adjacently disposed at depressing housing 35 downwardly, against the I biasing action of springs 40, and the lower end of holding element 36 into engagement with conducting strip M in die slot 31. Additional rotation of cam 49 results in further downward and slidable motion of housing 35 this time relative to holding element 36, which having engaged stationary die slot 37 and strip I4 remains stationary, whereupon the knife edge 35 of housing 35 passes through and severs conducting strip I4. As pointed out in the above indicated copending application, by virtue of the'resulting compression of the spring within the housing, this additional downward movement of housing 35 imposes considerable holding pressure on strip I4 during the actual severing thereof. This clockwise motion of the beam 46 also and simultaneously lowers toggle tamper into rolling and pressure engagement with that portion of the conducting strip which has previously been fed over the mounting strip I2 whereby the adhesive coated undersurface of the conducting strip now severed is pressed into engagement with the mounting strip. The severed conducting strip thus adhesively affixed to the continuously moving mounting strip will promptly move therewith to the left and because of the friction between the conducting tap strap and the curved lower surface of the tamper 55 and the pivoted mounting thereof the toggle tamper elements will move a short distance therewith clockwise about pivot pins 55 and 54 against the biasing action of spring 57 after which disengagement of the detented portion II of rotating cam 49 will result in counterclockwise movement of beam 46 about pivot 41 to raise tamper 55 for free counterclockwise movement of arm 53 about pivot 54 under the biasing action of spring 51 into engagement with stop 58. This movement of lever 46 simultaneously permits upward vertical movement of punch or knife 36 under the biasing action of springs 49. Spring biased roller 10 serves to apply pressure for an additional short period to the affixed conducting tap strap as it passes therebetween and the surface of support platform I3.

Thus, a new and improved method has been provided whereby a conducting tap stra I2 having a predetermined portion projecting beyond or exterior a longitudinal edge of a strip of mounting material is automatically affixed thereto at spaced and equal intervals while the mounting strip is in continuous motion. Moreover, in accordance with this new method both surfaces of the projecting portion of each tap strap are entirely free of anyinsulating material such as the adhesive employed to bond the tap to the mounting strip.

In Fig. 2, I have illustrated an apparatus somewhat similar to the Fig. l apparatus except that a modification of my invention is embodied therein and other features have been incorporated which render this machine more flexible than the apparatus illustrated in the Fig. 1 embodiment. As in the embodiment of Fig. l, a supply roll of insulating mounting material is rotatably mounted on a spindle'or shaft BI. A'longitudinal strip of material 82 is unwound therefrom and pulled under idler rolls 83 and 84 across stationary platform 85 and rewound into a finished roll 86, after tap straps have been affixed thereto, by friction roll 87. Friction roll 81 is fixedly mounted on shaft 88 which is continuously rotated clockwise through bevel gear set 89, shaft 90 bevel gear set 9|, drive shaft 92, and drive pulley 93 keyed thereto by a motor through a belt, neither one of which are shown.

A supply strip of conducting material 94 is fed from a supply reel 95 through a guide slot 96 toward and transversely over the mounting strip 82 and the platform 85 by a pair of cooperative feed rolls 9? and 98. Feed rolls 9'! and 98 are keyed respectively to rotatable shafts 99 and I99 which are positively interconnected by spur gears WI and I02 respectively. The feed rolls are driven by a bevel gear I03 keyed to feed roll shaft 99, bevel gear I94 meshing therewith and shaft I65 through a variable speed drive comprising a metallic driving disc I66 keyed to a shaft I 91 and a leather edged driven disc I09 engageable with the face of disc I96 and mounted on shaft I09. A portion of shaft I99 at the lower end thereof is hollow to slidably receive shaft I95 which is rotationally driven by shaft I99 through the efi- 7 tion within an adjustment device IIO having a threaded portion I I I engageable with the threads of a, nut I I2 welded or otherwise fixed to the stationary framework H3 of the apparatus. Since shafts I05 and I09 are axially movable with respect to each other, disc I08 may therefore be moved radially toward or away from the periphery or center of drive disc I06 by turning threaded portion III within nut H2 whereby the rotational speed of feed rolls 91 and 98 may be varied. The purpose of such a variable speed drive is to change the tap strap length when employing different widths of paper. Driving disc I06, keyed to shaft I01, is rotated constantly by drive shaft 92 through spur gears H4 and H5 keyed respectively to shafts 92 and I01. A conducting strip severing means comprising a shear blade H6, positioned between the feed rolls and platform 85 and vertically movable within stationary blade guides H1 suitably fixed to the apparatus framework, is provided to carry out the conducting strip severing function as in the main embodiment.

A tamper H8 pivotally mounted at II9 on block I for counterclockwise movement against the biasing action of spring I2I is also provided. Block I20 is removably mounted on a projection I22 integral with or otherwise suitably fixed to shear blade II6. By means of wing nut I23, block I20, and the tamper may be quickly removed and reversibly remounted on projection I22 so that tamper H8 may swing clockwise against its spring bias, the purpose of which will be explained hereinafter.

The cutting edge of shear blade II 6 is normally biased away from conducting strip 94 and tamper II 8 is biased away from platform 85 by springs I24 interposed between stationary blade guides H1 and a yoke or extension I25 fixed to shear blade I I6. Springs I24 also bias a cam roller I26 mounted on cross head I21, which is in turn fixed to yoke I25, into constant rolling engagement with cam I28 mounted on shaft I01.

In contrast to the Fig. 1 embodiment feed ,1

rolls 91 and 98 are completely circular and one end of shaft I00, to which feed roll 98 is keyed, is rotatably mounted on a pair of radius arms I29 fixed to shaft I30 which in turn is pivotally mounted on the apparatus frame work. Spring I3I interposed between one of the radius arms and a portion of the stationary framework I32 normally biases feed roll 98 toward the conducting strip 94 and into cooperation with feed roll 91. However, a feed roll push rod I33 is mounted at one end to yoke I25 and the opposite or lower end is engageable with one of the radius arms I29 so that when shear blade H6 is moved downwardly by cam I28, feed roll 98 is moved out of engagement with strip 94 and away from feed roll 91 against the bias of spring I3I. Although feed roll 98 is positively and constantly driven, this movement is, nevertheless, permitted by the pin and slot coupling I34 and universal joint I35 in shaft I00.

As was the case in the Fig. 1 embodiment, an adhesive reservoir I36 containing liquid adhesive therein is positioned between the shearing means and platform 85. An adhesive applicator disc I31 is also provided and mounted for rotation of at least a portion thereof in the liquid adhesive as better illustrated in Fig. 20.. Unlike the Fig. 1 embodiment, however, disc I31 is completely circular and is keyedto a shaft I39 which is rotatably mounted on a pair of ra u arms I 0: fixed to a sha pi o ally mounted on th appa a us fram wo k- A cam roller I42 is mounted on the upper end of a push rod I43, the opposite or lower end of which is fixedly connected 'to one of the radius arms I40. A coil spring I44 mounted around push rod I43 and interposed between cam roller I42 and push rod guide I45, fixed to the stationary framework, biases adhesive applicator disc I31 into engagement with conducting strip 94 and roller I 42 into engagement with a cam I46 keyed to shaft I01. To allow for a slight movement of adhesive applicator disc on arms I away from conducting strip 94, shaft I39 is driven through a flexible shaft I41 which is in turn driven through gears I48, I49, and I50 by gear I02 keyed to shaft I00.

As to the operation of the apparatus hereinbefore described, energization of the motor which drives shaft 92 will initiate movement of mounting strip 82 in the direction of the arrow across platform 85 and feed of an end of conducting strip 94 toward and transversely over the mounting strip as in the main embodiment. Adhesive applicator disc I31, during a portion of this feed will be in engagement with the underside of the conducting strip whereby av narrow strip of adhesive material will be applied thereto. Whileoonducting strip 94 is still in motion, cam I46 will become effective to depress push rod I43 downwardly against the bias of spring I44 and disc I31 out of engagement with the conducting strip. The portion of the conducting strip thereafter fed toward the mounting strip represents that portion of the eventual tap strap which will project beyond the edge thereof. Shortly thereafter, cam I28 will become effective to start downward movement of shear blade H6 and yoke I25, whereupon further feed of conducting 94 will be momentarily stopped since pushrod I33 connected to the yoke will thereby depress radius arms I29 and feed roll 98 mounted thereon out of engagement with conducting strip 94. Upon further downward movement of shear blade H6, the cutting edge thereof will pass through, thereby severing conducting strip 94. Simultaneously, tamper IIB will be lowered into roll.- ing and pressure engagement with the severed portion, whereupon the tamper will travel a short distance therewith counterclockwise about its pivot H9 as was the case in the main embodiment. Then cam I28 will become effective to permit rise of shear blade H6 under the biasing action of springs I24 and simultaneous rise of tamper II8 out of engagement with the moving tap strap, now firmly affixed to the mounting strip, whereupon the tamper is free to swing clockwise under the bias of spring I2I to its initial position. At this point, cam I46 will become effective to permit upward movement of pushrod I43 under the biasing action of spring I44, thereby moving adhesive applicator disc I31 into a position to apply adhesive to the next increment of conducting strip 94 as it is fed toward the moving mounting strip. As the shear blade and yoke I25 approach the uppermost position of their travel, the raising of pushrod I33 will allow spring I3I to move rotating feed roll 98 into pressure engagement with conducting strip 94, whereupon the previously severed end thereof will be moved into engagement with the applicator disc I31 and then over the moving mounting strip.

This apparatus, thus embodying a modification of my invention, is somewhat more flexible than the apparatus shown in the Fig. 1 embodiment in that both rolls for use on the right-hand side as well as rolls for use on the left-hand side of the tap strap inserter machine disclosed in the above mentioned copending application, Serial No. 18,104 may be made on the same machine. The operation hereinbeiore described involved the assembly of a left-hand roll. To assemble tap straps on a right-hand roll, a supply roll or reel corresponding to supply roll 80 is mounted on spindle IE8 corresponding to spindle 8! after which the mounting strip is pulled to the left instead of to the right across the platform 85 around friction roll 1 6i corresponding to friction roll 81 for re-winding into a finished roll on radius arm 62 corresponding to radius arm S53. Before starting the actual assembly of such a right-hand roll, tamper support block 128 is removed from support arm I22 and reversibly mounted thereon so that the tamper will be free to move clockwise with and in the direction of movement of the mounting strip against the biasing action of spring [2L While I have, in accordance with the patent statutes, described particular methods of operation for carrying out my invention, other changes will be obvious to those skilled in the art; and I, therefore, aim in the appended claims to cover all such changes as fall within the true spirit and scope of my invention.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. The method of affixing a narrow strip of material transversely to a continuously moving supply strip of relatively wider mounting material at spaced and-equal intervals thereon which comprises the steps of feeding the end of a supply strip of narrow material toward and transversely over said wider mounting material, simultaneously applying to only the surface of said narrow strip fed over and adjacent to said mounting strip a relatively narrow strip of adhesive material centered on the longitudinal axis of said narrow strip and having a width less than the width thereof, stopping the feed of said narrow strip of material, then severing said narrow strip so that a portion adjacent the severed end thereof will extend beyond a longitudinal edge of said mounting strip and pressing said surface of said narrow strip having adhesive applied thereto against the adjacent surface of said continuously moving wider, strip of mounting material.

2. The method of affixing a narrow strip of material transversely to a continuously moving supply strip of relatively wider mounting material at spaced and equal intervals thereon from a supply of narrow material, one of said strips having adhesive material applied to a surface thereof, which comprises the steps of feeding the end of said narrow supply strip toward and trans versely over said mounting strip so that the surface of one of said strips having adhesive applied thereto will be adjacent to said other strip, stop ping the feed of said narrow strip, then transversely severing said narrow strip so that a portion adjacent the severed end thereof will extend beyond a longitudinal edge of said wider mounting strip, pressing said severed narrow strip against said continuously moving strip of mounting material and continuing application of said pressure for a predetermined time thereafter during movement of said mounting strip and said severed strip through a predetermined distance.

CHARLES E. MARKS.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,088,533 Cameron Feb. 24, 1914 2,120,128 Wells June '2, 1938 2,284,563 Dillman et al May 26, 1942 2,320,092 Miller May 25, 1943 2,511,303 Stevens et al June 13, 1950 2,511,559 Banff et al. June 13, 1950 

